By Mike McClary

Posted on September 13, 2011

Rod Nelson sent along word of the next meeting of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Detroit Chapter. If you love Tigers baseball — and baseball in general — you can never go wrong attending a SABR event. Rod shares the following details:

As the Tigers close in on their first October appearance in five years, the SABR Detroit Chapter has put together a program that covers all the bases. Featured speakers include an expert on race and gender issues in baseball along with two individuals who were part of the Detroit organization when the Tigers last won the World Series.

If you have not attended a meeting in while, give this one a try even if you can only stop in for a part of the afternoon. Remember, too, that you are welcome to bring friends and family—whether SABR members or not.

If that isn’t enough baseball to sate you, the Sunday afternoon docket comes with added attractions:

An opportunity to have lunch and talk baseball before the meeting begins;

The inevitable and always popular trivia contest, with prizes for the winners; and,

A chance to watch the Tigers while chowing down on pizza at Lefty’s Lounge across the street.

Sept. 18 Program Speakers

Lisa Alexander will speak about “Race on First, Class on Second, Gender on Third, and Sexuality Up to Bat: Intersectionality and Power in Major League Baseball, 1995–2005.” Alexander is a professor of Africana studies at Wayne State and is currently editing her dissertation for publication. She is also versed on race issues around steroids, the diminishing number of black baseball players, and former Negro Leagues owner and Hall of Famer Effa Manley. Watch a video preview of Dr. Alexander’s discussion.

Irwin J. Cohen was the founder, editor and publisher of a monthly baseball publication in the 1970s and his roster of 20 writers included Peter Gammons, Tracy Ringolsby and Ernie Harwell. Cohen worked as a department head in the Tigers’ front office in the Monaghan era and earned a 1984 World Series ring. Cohen has authored nine books, including Tiger Stadium, Crosley Field and Comiskey Park for Arcadia Publishing. His latest book Tiger Stadium/Comerica Park is, of course, a history of the two familiar ballparks as well as an inside look at working in the Detroit front office.

Howard Stitzel engineered the Tigers’ radio broadcasts for more than 50 years, working with Harry Heilmann, Mel Ott, Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey, among other broadcasters. Stitzel also spent plenty of time on planes talking about the radio business with former Tigers owner Tom Monaghan.

Parking: Street parking should be ample on Sunday. If you are planning on going to Lefty’s afterward, you should park on Cass Avenue or Kirby Street if possible.

Time: 1-4 p.m. Note that the Lions are playing at Ford Field at 1 o’clock, so you might want to allow for the extra traffic on your way in.

Tigers Game and Pizza

Afterward, we will walk over to Lefty’s Lounge to watch the Tigers play the Athletics in Oakland. First pitch is at 4:10. While enjoying pizza & beer at Lefty’s friendly sports bar, we should get a chance to talk to one of the southpaw owners, Ron Way and David Marcon — both of whom pitched in the minor leagues.

Please RSVP to Gary Gillette if you expect to attend. Or leave a voice message at (313) 331-3423. If you want to come early for the box lunch from Union Street, we will send an order form to you upon receiving your RSVP.